The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-20
AN UNLUCKx BooK-REv1EwER.
The Dilemma in Which He Was Placed, and
the Sad Result of Shifting Responsibility.

The Dilemma in Which He Was Placed, and
the Sad Result of Shifting Responsibility.
w. ID. Rideing. in the Critic.
The victim of the book-reviewer is familiar
object; but shall the book-reviewer himself have
no pity. ard be reckoned always a critical
IshmaeH Signed or unsigned, his articles are
sure to be recognized by few, and his ambush
is never quite secure; let his purpose be of flaw
less honesty, still he shall not escape calumry
nor fail to open a way to accusations either OF
puffery or Malignant abuse What If the friend
of his bosom writes book of which he cannot
approve, shall he be faithless to his readers
about it and persuade them to buy the worthless
thing, or shall he be candid and forever end the
attachments between himself and the author9
No pillow of ease crown of honor is for him:
his seat is bed of thistles
The occasion Of these remarks is good story
illustrating them which heard lately. One of
the regular contributors to a critical journal re-
ceived from lifelong friend copy of book,
which the latter had written, with a request
that he should review it. This would have been
pleasant task if there had been any chance to
say a pleasant word about it, but it hope
lessly bad, and faint praise of 1t would
have been transparent fartery. What could he
do IN this conflict between his goodwill and his
critical integrity Driven and preoccuped by
otner matters he passed the volume over to
another member of the staff, and did not think
of it again I'm til he saw the review of it printed
in the paper. Such q review. Such fayine
alive. such a vinegar bath, such a throwing of
vitriol that it seemed as if the executioner
had first used every instrument of tor
ture and then sprinkled the wounds with
every acid that would bite and make them
lineer. simultaneously came digniied letter
from the poor ST. Sebastian of an author; full of
reproaches. Was the friend to whom he had
given his book dead to every sense of shame,
callous to every demand of gratitude? If no
sentiment of affection could influence him, was
he without any appreciation of the sacredness
of hospitality? Now the author was rich man,
who had published his book at his own expense
in a most sumptuous manner, and he had
beautiful city house. where very good dinners
were given. at which the object of these
proaches had often sat in great contentment
The luckless reviewer was covered with
explanation and apology. entreating his
injured friend by the memory of their
college days not to visit upon him fault for
which he was blameless A day or two went by.
and then there came to the Office of the reviewer
a small package addressed to him in the familiar
hand of his friend. Fold after fold of tissue
paper and strands of feathery shavings at last
disclosed exquisite bit Of Royal Worcester.
So st. Sebastian had justified the Calendar and
been as forgiving as a saint should be; he had
sent this precious jar full OF the oil of reconclia
ton, and the recipient Immediately sat down
and penned letter of unmeasured thanks and
affection to him; he had proved himself to be
thoroughly good fellow, whose friendship
s.sao ss mos
mischance had caused-so the epistle ran.
In the evening the reviewer took the present
home. and while he was unwrappine it in the
presence of his wife, he sang the praises of the
giver's maguanimity. The last envelope re-
moved, he carried the across the room and
placed it for effect on little mirrored cabinet.
"There. my dear. isn't that lovely2" he inquired.
II thought so when l bought it," she replied
when you bought itp Eyes, it's the vase we
sent him a wedding present when he was mar
ried." So indeed it was, and instead of being
token of peace it was a gage of battle. The let
ter of apology had been unavailing, and never
since have those two friends spoken. This is a
story that makes me glad that am not a book
reviewer but only the chronicler of trfles in the
way of literary news.